Schooling the National Orphans: The Education of the Children of the Easter Rising Leaders

‘You Collared a Maiden Young Ireland in this House’: The Patriotism of Dom Francis Sweetman and His School – Mount St Benedict, Gorey, Co. Wexford

“…29 Although the school lost its attraction to some, Sweetman's new-found nationalism combined with the decline of the radical school St Enda's, resulted in an increase in the number of boys from Republican families being enrolled. 30 Among the students already at Mount St Benedict were John and Padraig Sweetman the sons of Sweetman's cousin, John, a founder member and former president of Sinn Fein, and they were joined by seven of the sons of John MacBride, Eamonn Ceannt, Thomas Clarke and The O'Rahilly, three of the men executed for their role in the Rising and one who was killed in action. In addition, Emmet Humphreys, the O'Rahillys' cousin, who had already been gaoled for distributing Sinn Fein literature, and Stanislaus Markievicz, the step-son of Countess Markieviez, who was a prominent figure in the Rising and a founder member of Cumann na mBan, were educated at the school.…”